BANKING

Johnny Allison Inducted Into Arkansas Business Hall of Fame 

Johnny Allison, chairman, CEO, and president of Home BancShares, was inducted Feb. 14 into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. Allison was one of four honorees inducted. 

“The 2025 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame class represents a remarkable addition to an institution that honors our state’s legacy of business excellence,” said Brent Williams, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. “These four distinguished individuals have profoundly impacted their respective industries, the economy of Arkansas and beyond.” 

The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame is housed in the atrium of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development at Walton College. 

Allison and Bunny Adcock started Home BancShares in Conway in 1998, and established the first bank, First State Bank, in Conway in 1999. Today, Home BancShares is a bank holding company headquartered in Conway. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank, provides a broad range of commercial and retail banking plus related financial services to businesses, real estate developers, investors, individuals and municipalities. Centennial Bank has branch locations in Arkansas, Florida, Texas, South Alabama and New York City. The company’s common stock, $HOMB, is traded through the New York Stock Exchange. 

CONSTRUCTION

Don Weaver Named Chair of American Concrete Pavement Association Board of Directors 

The American Concrete Pavement Association has announced Don Weaver, president of Weaver-Bailey Contractors, as chairman of its board of directors fir 2025. 

Weaver has 50 years of experience in the concrete paving industry, more than 45 of those years being with Weaver-Bailey Contractors, which is based in Conway. Since 2002, he has served as the president and CEO, responsible for all areas of business operations. Previously, he served 20 years as the chief operations officer and vice president, and before that he was a project manager. 

“Don is more than prepared to lead ACPA into the future because he has a strong vision for how to push the promotion of concrete paving through the association,” said Laura O’Neill Kaumo, president and CEO of ACPA. “Don understands that in order to be effective, pavers need to be in the ‘room where it happens’ and that means outreach to lawmakers, state highway agencies, and the general public.” 

“I hope to build on the work that Ernie Peterson, Laura O’Neill Kaumo, the board, and the staff have done to grow ACPA — through its relations with chapters, members, and government partners — to make concrete the material of first choice for all pavements,” Weaver said. 

EDUCATION 

The University of Central Arkansas has named Debbie Dailey as interim dean of its College of Education. The appointment is effective March 1.  

Dailey has been at UCA for 12 years, serving as a faculty member, chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning for the past five years, and most recently as interim associate dean.   

Michael Mills has been named dean of the UCA Graduate School. He began in the role Feb. 16. The graduate school represents degree programs from five academic colleges and provides a wide range of advanced educational opportunities including six doctoral programs, 34 master’s and specialist programs and 16 professional certificate programs. He will also oversee the Office of Sponsored Programs and play a key role in expanding funded research and strengthening UCA’s overall commitment to scholarship and community engagement. 

Mills has served as interim dean of the graduate school since January 2024. During his interim leadership, Mills expanded research funding opportunities across campus, developed strategic partnerships with academic programs, and implemented cost-reduction measures while streamlining processes for students. He previously served as associate dean in the College of Education and professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at UCA. 

Central Baptist College has promoted Donna Bradley to chair of its fine arts department. Bradley has more than 22 years of experience as a choral director, band director, and general music teacher. Since arriving at CBC, she has directed the college’s band program and the women’s chorus while teaching courses in fine arts and education. 

UTILITIES 

Conway Corp has promoted Gage Hogan, Kyle Troxler, and Earnest Taylor. Hogan was promoted to telecom construction technician 2 after passing his Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers Broadband Premises Installer certification.  

Troxler was promoted to apprentice lineman 4. He is enrolled in a four-year apprentice program to become a journeyman lineman through the Missouri Public Utility Alliance.  

Taylor has been promoted to electric systems engineer 2. He will take on expanded responsibilities in the design, maintenance and improvement of Conway Corp’s electric infrastructure.   

Customer Experience Coordinator Lindsay Bradshaw recently earned her coaching certificate from the Association of Talent Development, a globally recognized organization dedicated to advancing talent development professionals. The ATD Coaching Certificate program equips participants with the skills and strategies needed to foster growth, drive performance and empower individuals in their professional journeys.   

Water Systems Designer Zac Hall has earned his authorized climber certification from Safety LMS/Comtrain. The requirements for this certification included a 3-day hands on training course and 90 days of climbing experience. 

Human Resources Training Coordinator Alicia Francis has earned her Birkman certification, which provides in-depth training on the Birkman Method, an assessment tool used for talent development, leadership coaching and team building. With this certification, Francis is now equipped with advanced skills to help individuals and teams enhance communication, collaboration and productivity. 

Wasterwater Plant Operator Apprentice Chase Weatherly has earned his boiler operator license from the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. Weatherley completed six months of hands-on training and experience under a licensed boiler operator. He also successfully passed the required state exam, showcasing his expertise in the safe and efficient operation of boilers.